BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

 

                            DECEMBER 10, 2002

 

                                       

The Lassen County Board of Supervisors convenes in Regular Session on Tuesday, December 10, 2002, at 9:32 a.m.   Present:  Supervisors Robert Pyle, Jim Chapman, Lloyd Keefer, Brian Dahle, and Everd McCain; County Counsel John Ketelsen, County Administrative Officer (CAO) Andy Whiteman and County Clerk Theresa Nagel.  Following the flag salute, the invocation is offered by Supervisor Dahle.

 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ITEMS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION

Chairman Dahle announces that no closed session was held.

 

AGENDA APPROVAL, ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS

It is moved by Supervisor McCain, seconded by Supervisor Pyle and carried to approve the agenda as posted.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Doreen Zimmerman introduces herself and announces that she and her husband are the owners of the Westwood Hospital.  Their plans are to turn the facility into a twenty room lodge, convention/community center with large lobbies along with a steak house.  They plan to offer ski and golf packages, etc.  The development will not be dependent upon Dyer Mountain development as the area can currently support this facility.  It will be named Robbers Creek Lodge and Steak House.  She states they might be approaching the County for Economic Development grants, but at this time that is not needed.  Supervisor Keefer suggests she speak to the Economic Development Council so they are aware of the plans.

 

UNAGENDIZED BOARD REPORTS

1.   Supervisor Keefer informs the board members that he will be following up with arrangements to have Fish and Game Commission Chairman Tim Simon meet with Senator Rico Oilar to discuss the shortage of game wardens.

2.   Supervisor Pyle announces that he had sinus surgery last week.

3.   Supervisor Chapman notes that Supervisor Dahle will be installed as RCRC Chairman on January 15th.  He commends Supervisor Dahle and encourages county officials to attend this ceremony.  He requests the CAO provide the pertinent information to all department heads.

4.   Supervisor Chapman wishes to address some recent outstanding accomplishments:  outstanding performance of the Lassen Grizzlie Football Team; Susanville Supermarket receipt of IGA Stores second highest evaluation ever given throughout all the 4200 stores in 48 states and overseas; Jason Wheeler's outstanding performance that has led to his upcoming appearance in Orlando at the National Country Western Music Competition.  He would like to have proclamations commending these accomplishments on the next agenda.

5.   Supervisor Chapman states that he has been working with the CAO on the provision of hams for the Holiday Party.  The cost is more than he expected when he volunteered the board members to provide the meat.  He states arrangements have been made for department heads to help with the expense and asks each board member to donate $30.

6.   Supervisor Pyle notes the grab for Lassen County water is again being made from the Reno area and he feels this issue should be moved up as a priority for the Board.

7.   Supervisor Dahle will be attending RCRC on Wednesday and Thursday.  On Friday he will attend the Sierra Nevada Framework Review.

8.   Supervisor Dahle announces that he may be attending the PUC meeting to help retain the one cent fee that is used to help keep alternative (bio-mass) energy plants running year-round.  Governor Davis is proposing the removal of this fee.

9.   Supervisor Dahle states there is a need for a speed limit sign on County Road A-2.

 

LASSEN COUNTY FIRE SAFE COUNCIL

Tom Gauthier representing the Lassen County Fire Safe Council, along with CDF Fire Captain John Crites, provide information on the county-wide fuel reduction projects and current plans.

 

He commends CDF employees Joe Waterman and John Crites who have done a wonderful job on a volunteer basis.  He notes their job assignments and obligations take priority and therefore he will be coming to the Board in the future to request Title III funding.  The funding will be used to hire professional help with grant writing.  He will also be approaching the RAC for funding.

 

Community Development Director Robert Sorvaag reports the Fire Safe Plan is still being worked on.  There was a setback due to an unacceptable submittal from the hired consultant.  They are going out for bid to complete the plan.

 

Recess 10:17 - 10:25 a.m.

 

JUVENILE HALL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Assistant to the CAO Chris Beard provides her background in relation to Probation, Juvenile Hall and Alcohol and Drug Programs.  She organized a core team to work on the need for mental health services in the Juvenile Hall.  She notes this project has been a team effort and introduces the other members of the team.  LassenWORKS Program Manager Melody Brawley, as facilitator; Assistant Chief Probation Officer Debbie Rives; Chief Probation Officer Snerp Whipple (could not be present today); Juvenile Hall Superintendent Roy Thiels; Mental Health Director Jim Jackson; Mental Health Program Manager Ken Crandall; CSOC Program Manager Bill Jost; and Assistant County Counsel Craig Settlemire.

 

Roy Thiels provides information on the Juvenile Hall operations, mission and service requirements.

 

Ken Crandall provides information on the Mental Health definitions and scope of practice under the categories: screening, assessment - medical necessity, evaluation, medication support, rehabilitation, therapy, case management and crisis intervention.

 

Debbie Rives addresses the referral process:  Juvenile Hall (JH) intake includes physical and mental health screening; copy goes to JH Mental Health (MH) Case Manager and JH physician; case manager reviews and performs further screening as necessary and determines urgency; if required, referred to MH for assessment, determination of medical necessity and development of service delivery plan; appropriate authorizations obtained (out of county minors); services delivered.

 

Craig Settlemire provides information on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which has the purpose of avoiding misunderstandings and to set forth what each party's obligations and needs are.  The MOU addresses: the description of Mental Health services to be provided (includes on-site MH Case Manager); probation responsibilities; referral process; dispute resolution process; allocation of financial responsibilities (to be determined).

 

Chris Beard addresses the budget considerations, noting there is an outstanding need for $103,700.

 

Melody Brawley discusses the remaining issues:  Medi-Cal eligibility for post adjudicated; Federal Medicaid eligibility for ALL Juvenile Hall residents; 5150 transports; reimbursement rates for services to out-of-county detainees; costs and funding for additional MH services, i.e. therapy, rehabilitation, medication support, etc.; target population priorities: Medi-Cal mandated services vs. 0-5, Juvenile Hall, Jail, community services and education, etc.; recruitment and retention of staff.

 

Chris Beard concludes the Good News is:  we better understand each other's mission and constraints; we agree on the needs and we have developed a plan and an MOU.  The Bad News is: we still do not have any money and we still have potential liability.  She states they need help from the supervisors in setting priorities.

 

Board discussion is held with a consensus that the collaboration between the departments is very encouraging.

 

Supervisor Keefer is hesitant to fund a full time position (case manager) at JH with the big workload on the outside, until more information is known.  Supervisor Chapman feels the need for the position is there, but with the State budget crisis it will be necessary to rearrange and reassign personnel. 

Noon recess 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

Supervisor McCain requests that Item G-5, investigative services contract, be removed for separate consideration.

 

It is moved by Supervisor McCain, seconded by Supervisor Pyle and carried to take the noted action on the following Consent Calendar items:

 

COUNTY CLERK ITEM

Approve Minutes of November 26, 2002.

       

AUDITOR AND TREASURER DEPARTMENTS ITEM

Received and file Treasurer's Investments Report and Auditor's verification for the month of October, 2002.

 

COUNTY COUNSEL ITEM

Reject claim of Elizabeth Malone, in its entirety, and direct County Clerk to send Notice of Rejection.

 

OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES ITEM

Ratify continuation of Declaration of State of Disaster / Drought Emergency in Lassen County for 2002.

    

TREASURER ITEM

Receive and file Treasurer's Fund Balance Report for October, 2002.

         

MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE ITEMS

Receive and file the following correspondence:

a.   SUBJECT:  Lassen County Fair Advisory Board unapproved minutes for November 12, 2002.

b.   Lassen County Planning Commission and the Technical Advisory Committee (T.A.C.) meeting dates and application deadlines for 2003.

c.   Lassen County Planning Commission meeting agenda for December 4, 2002.

d.   Lassen County Technical Advisory Committee meeting agenda for December 3, 2002.

e.   Lassen County Airport Land Use Commission meeting agenda for December 5, 2002.

f.   Lassen County In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Board special meeting agenda for December 18, 2002.

g.   Lassen Transit Service Agency meeting agenda for December 9, 2002.

h.   Lassen County Transportation Commission agenda for December 9, 2002.

 

PUBLIC DEFENDER ITEM

It is moved by Supervisor McCain, seconded by Supervisor Keefer and carried to adopt Resolution No. 02-085 (with a correction to the name of the Board), approving Contract (with a correction to the dates of the contract) for investigative services with Robert P. Grant; and authorize County Administrative Officer to sign.

 

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT - LASSEN WORKS / SOCIAL SERVICES

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer and seconded by Supervisor Chapman to introduce Ordinance No. 552, by title only, adding to Chapter 11.05 of Title ll of the Lassen County Code, to establish the Board of Supervisors as the Public Authority for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), pursuant to AB 1382 statutes.

 

Supervisor McCain is more willing to go with a private authority rather than the public authority as the people that will be handling the program already have their plate too full.  Supervisor Chapman states that he seconded the motion for discussion and goes on to note that he is not really very comfortable with the public authority. Supervisor Keefer shares the same concerns and feels the program needs to be closely monitored and if it is not working a change should be made without letting the train get too far down the track. 

 

The motion carries on the following roll call vote:  Supervisor Chapman - YES, Supervisor Pyle - NO, Supervisor Keefer - YES, Supervisor McCain - NO, Supervisor Dahle - YES.

 

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT - MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION

It is moved by Supervisor Pyle, seconded by Supervisor McCain and carried to approve the Department of Mental Health Project for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) Grant application for FY 2002/2003; and authorize the Mental Health Division to submit the application to the Department of Mental Health.

 

COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE - DECEMBER 31ST MEETING

Marty Diehl from the Surveyor's Department, states that he has a couple of parcel maps whose applicants are attempting to get recorded before the end of the year.  He does not believe all of the requirements will be completed before the next meeting.  He understands the December 31st meeting may be cancelled and he asks if there is anything that can be done. 

 

County Counsel John Ketelsen suggests the maps be placed on the next agenda with information on what requirements have not been finalized.  He states that approval can be given subject to finalization.

 

It is moved by Supervisor McCain, seconded by Supervisor Chapman and carried to cancel the meeting of December 31, 2002.

 

INFORMATION FOR THE BOARD

CAO Whiteman informs the board members that he has distributed the Governor's proposals for budget cuts.  He notes one proposal is to eliminate 31 vacant positions in the Fish and Game Department and another is to eliminate traffic relief funding which amounts to approximately $400,000 for Lassen County.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

1.   A letter from Director Dallas Jones of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services stating the U. S. Department of Agriculture granted a Secretarial disaster designation for Lassen County as a Contiguous County due to agriculture losses caused by drought, is received and filed.

 

2.   Regional Council of Rural Counties (RCRC) Notice of Public Meeting to Express Social and Economic Concerns to the Forest Service as part of Sierra Nevada Framework Review to be held Friday December 13, 2002, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Miner's Foundry Cultural Center, 325 Spring Street, Nevada City (530-265-5040), is received and filed.

 

EXCURSION RAIL STUDY GRANT  

It is moved by Supervisor Pyle, seconded by Supervisor Chapman and carried to approve the submittal of a letter to the Executive Secretary of the Lassen County Transportation Commission (LCTC) in support of the LCTC's Excursion Rail Feasibility Study Grant Application through the CalTrans Division of Planning.

 

PG&E PIT RIVER RELICENSING

It is moved by Supervisor Keefer, seconded by Supervisor Pyle and carried to

authorize sending a letter to Representative Wally Herger, Congressman John Doolittle, Deb Romberger, USFS, Chief Regional Forrester Jack Blackwell and Lassen National Forest Supervisor Ed Cole, regarding PG&E Pit River 3, 4, & 5 Power Houses Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing permit, expressing the belief that the Forest Service must provide an environmental and a socio-economic impact study of the entire watershed that includes the impact of their recommendations before they are submitted to FERC.

 

There being no further business, the meeting is adjourned at 2:00 p.m.

 

 

 

                                __________________________________________

                                  CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

 

ATTEST:

 

_______________________________________

THERESA NAGEL, CLERK OF THE BOARD